Universal marine engine starter switch



May 1, 1956 c. M. BowERsMxTH UNIVERSAL MARINE ENGINE STARTER SWITCHFiled` July 7, 1952 INVENTOR CM1/PLE: /M au/fasM/rf/ ATTORN EYS UnitedStates Patent O 2,743,794 UNIVERSAL MARINE ENGINE STARTER SWITCH CharlesM. Bowersmith, akland, Calif., assigner to Carl G. Day, Berkeley, Calif.

Application July 7, 1952, Serial No. 297,532 6 Claims. (Cl. 2ll0 .18)

The present invention relates, in general, to a starter switch forengines and, more particularly, to a switch which may be employed witheither single or twin marine engines and with dual battery arrangements.

In usual approved marine installations, as in cruisers and other smallmarine craft, single or twin marine engines are started" by means ofelectrical energy supplied by storage batteries. To provide a dependablesource of electricity for such motor starting purposes, dual batterybanks are usually employed. Accordingly, a plurality of switches arerequired to perform starter motor and ignition switching functions.

Moreover, due to the possible presence of volatile fuel vapors withinhull portions of such craft a completely vapor tight and explosion proofswitching arrangement n is desirable. Furthermore, vital switchingcontacts and other operating portions of the switching arrangementshould be protected from moisture and the corrosive effects of marineatmospheres in order that the maximum of operating dependability isobtained therein. v

My invention provides a simple, compact, moisture 3 and vapor proofmarine motor starter switch which may be employed to switch a heavystarting motor current from either one or from both banks of batteriesto either single or twin marine engines or to other electric spark tiredinternal combustion engines. An auxiliary switching arrangement is alsoprovided therein whereby electrical current may be simultaneouslysupplied to the motor ignition system from the battery free from thecranking drain imposed on the other battery. Advantageously, thecontactor portions of the switch are contained in a simple l closed bodycavity of the switch assembly. Such contactor portions include a pair ofmassive battery Contact terminals and a massive starter motor contactterminal which are bridged by a rotatable Contact element. Contactelements actuated by peripheral portions of said rotatable contact arealso provided therein, thereby providing said auxiliary switchingarrangement.

it is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a simple,compact, moisture and vapor proof switch for starting marine engines orthe like, which is also utilized to control and regulate the charging ofthe respective batteries during operation of the engines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the characterdescribed which may be used in vehicles or other installations toprovide a hot starting spark, and dispense with the requirement of theconventional magneto system to perform this function.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a marine starter motorswitch capable of providing starting current to single or twin marineengines from either one or both portions of a dual storage batterysystem.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a marine startermotor switch wherein heavy duty rotary contacts for a high currentelectrical circuit and separate contacts for a lower current electricalcircuit are contained in a single, explosion proof cavity.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a Cil 2,743,794Patented May l, 1956 ICC marine starting motor switch wherein a singlemassive rotatable contact element is employed to close a high currentcircuit between a single motor contact element and either one or bothcontact elements of dual battery bank circuits as well as to actuateeither one or both elements of an ignition switch arrangement.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It isto be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawing may be adopted within the scope ot the invention as setforth in the claims.

With reference to said drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the marine starter motor switch of myinvention, illustrated in the off position;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the vertical plane 2 2 ofFigure l;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the horizontal plane 3 3of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along the plane 4 4 ofFigure 3, which plane 4 4 is perpendicular to the plane 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken along a horizontal planeidentical with plane 3 3 of Figure 2; illustrated, however, with theswitch in the on position;

Figure 6 is a wiring diagram illustrating the manner of empioying theheavy duty rotary contacts in a marine engine starting motor circuit.

Figure 7 is a portional view similar to Figure 5, but illustrating amodified form of switching arrangement.

Although for purpose of illustration and description the switch of myinvention may be referred to as a marine starter motor switch it will beapparent that this switch may be equally elfectively used ininstallations other than on marine crafts.

In general, the marine starter motor switch 10 of my invention includesa flat plate base panel 11, formed of an insulating material such asmolded or laminated phenolformaldehyde resin, and a casing member 12which, with said panel 11, defines a closed cavity 13 wherein variousswitch components are assembled.

More particularly, as indicated in various figures of the drawing, thebase panel 11 may be formed as a square hat plate having perforations 14formed in corner portions thereof whereby the entire switch may beattached by means of screws (not shown) to any convenient surface. Thecasing member 12, is preferably formed, as by molding, of aphenolformaldehyde resin type insulating material, with a circular wailportion 15 depending downwardly from a circular plate portion 16.Threaded inserts 17 are molded at radially spaced positions, into thecircular wall portion 15 so as to open into the eX- posed lower endsurface 1S thereof whereby said casing 12 may be attached to the uppersurface 19 of panel 11 by means of screws 21 inserted therethrough. TheContact surface between the lower end surface 18 of the casing wall 15is made to t closely with respect to the surface 19 of the panel 11whereby the cavity 13 is made, substantially, air, vapor and moisturetight for the purposes noted above.

A circular perforation 22 is provided at a central location in thecircular plate portion 16 of the casing member 12, the axis of whichperforation 22 will be employed; for convenience, in describing thelocation of the various switch components as noted hereinafter.

As may best be seen by reference to the drawing, the said axis ofperforation 22 is coincident with the line of intersection of planes 2 2and 4 4 of Figures l and 3, respectively, and may be regarded as thecentral axis of rectangular coordinates formed by the lines ofintersection of said planes 2 2 and 4-4 with the upper surface 19 ofpanel 11. Together with the circular casing wall 15, such rectangularcoordinates' may be regarded to de ine a circular Varea divided intoquadrant portions. Y y

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, a massive rectangular starter motorbar contact 2 3 is attached to the upper surface 19 of the panel 11 andextends in axial alignment along the intersection line of two adjacentquadrants from a location near the circular casing wall and terminates,inwardly, somewhat beyond the central axis of perforation 22, wherebysmall inward terminal portions thereof occupy central axial portions ofthe rernaining quadrants. Conveniently the motor Contact 23 is attachedto the panel 11 by means of. a brass or copper Vstove bolt 24 extendingthrough a terminal portion thereof adjacent the casing lwall 15, withthe nut 25 disposed beneath the panel 11, whereby the lower threadedportion of the bolt may be employed for attachment, as indicated inFigure 6, of a suitable conductor 26 leading to the starting motor (notshown).

A first massive rectangular bar battery contact 27 is attached to theupper surface 19 of the panel 11, and is oriented radially, preferablyalong the bisector, in one of the quadrants occupied partially by thesaid inward terminal portion of the motor contact 23. Conveniently,'such contact 27 is attached thereto by a copper or brass stove bolt 28,passing therethrough, adjacent casing wall 15, with the nut portion 29thereof disposed beneath the panel 11, whereby the lower threaded end31.

thereof, may serve to connect a suitable conductor 32 leading to oneterminal of a first battery 33, as indicated inV Figure 6.

Similarly, a second massive rectangular bar battery contact 34 isattached to the upper surface 19 of the panel 11, and is orientedradially, preferably along the bisector, in the other quadrant occupiedpivotally by the said inward terminal portion of the motor contact 23.Conveniently, such contact is attached by a stove bolt 35, passingtherethrough, adjacent the casing wall 15, with the nut portion 36disposed beneath the panel 11, whereby the lower threaded end 37 mayserve to connect a suitable conductor 38, leading to one terminal of asecond battery 39, also as'indicated in Fig. 6.

In order to close the circuit between the motor and battery barcontacts, there is provided a massive rotatable Phosphor bronze quadrantcontact 39, as may best be s'eenin Figures 3 and 5 of the drawing. Indetail there is provided a generally cylindrical shaft 41 passingthrough the central perforation 22 in the casing member 12, which shaft41 is provided with a medial portion on which a sealing O ring ismounted. The ends of the shaft are further provided with D-shapedterminals 43 to respectively enter the handle knob and contact elementsfor transfer of rotary movement therebetween. Such quadrant contact 39is mounted thereon by forming a D-shaped opening 44, adjacent theintersectional point of the straight sides, thereof and engaging one ofthe shaft end portions 42. When so mounted, the axial portions 45, ofthe quadrant contact 39, rest upon inwardly disposed terminal portionsof the motor Contact 23 and peripheral portions 46, thereof, may berotated to engage inwardly disposed terminal portions of the batterycontacts 27 and 34. Vit is important to note that with this arrangementthe quadrant contact may be axially moved relative to the shaft so as topermit such rotor to always lie in the proper contact plane relative tothe motor contacts and insure proper electrical contact therebetween.

To assure positive pressure between the quadrant contact 39, motorcontact 23 and battery contacts 27 and 34, there is provided a resilientwasher 47 formed as of sponge rubber, disposed between the, uppersurface of the quadrant contact 39 and adjacent casing member portions.As may be noted, such washer 47, also serves as a vapor seal for thecentral casing perforation 22. To eliminate friction between thequadrant contact 39 and the washer 47, there may be provided a thinflexible washer 48, as, for example, of sheet phenol-formaldehydeplastic material, disposed therebetween.

A knob 49 attached to the other end 42 of shaft 41, projecting outsideof the casing 12, is employed to allow manual rotation of the quadrantcontact 39, while the pointer 51 affixed to said shaft may be employedto indicate the relative contact positions appropriate inscription inthe upper surface casing 12.

lt will be noted that, in the off position, the rounded pin head 52,projecting above the upper surface of the motor Contact bar 23, engagesa depression 53 formed in the lower surface of the quadrant contact39and serves to positively position the contact in such off position.When in the olf position the quadrant Contact 39 is positioned directlyover the starter motor Contact bar 23; however, as may be noted Stichquadrant Contact 39 may be rotated to engage the battery contacts 27 and34 either singly, or simultaneously. (Positions 1, 2, or all.)

rl`he auxiliary leaf switching arrangement, noted above, includes a pincontact 54 mounted on the line of intersection of quadrants between thebattery contacts 27 and 34 adjacent the circular casing wall 15. Suchpin contact 54- may be formed of a sleeve 55 encircling shock portionsof a bolt 56, nut portions 57' of which are disposed beneath the panel11, to provide connection with the marine engine ignition system (notshown).

A thin exible metal leaf contact 53 having an end clamped beneath thehead of bolt 28 extends adjacent upper inner side portions of said pincontact 54, whereby a vertically disposed end portion 59, thereof, is inspaced relation with the said upper inner side portions of the pincontact 54. Similarly, a second thin flexible metal leaf contact 61,having one end clamped beneath the head of bolt 35, extends adjacentlower inner side portions of the pin contact 54, whereby a verticallydisposed end portion 62 thereof is in spaced relation with the saidlower inner side portions of the pin contact 54.

Closure of each of the leaf contacts 53 and 61 is obtained by meansactuated by the rotatable quadrant contact 39. Specifically, the freeend of a flexible insulating stop 63, supported at one end by engagementwith a slotted pin 64, fixed to the panel 11, adjacent the circular wall15 and disposed bet-Ween battery contact 27 and motor contact 23,contacts the inner surface of leaf contact end portion 62. Pin 64 islocated in such a position that the peripheral arc marginal edge portiond'6, of the quadrant contact 39, engages central portions of the stop63, during rotation thereof, forcing the free end out,-

wards and accordingly causing an outward motion of leaf Contact endportion 62 and engagement with pin contact 54.

Similarly, the free end of a second insulating7 strip 66, supported atone end by engagement with the slotted end of a pin 67, fixed to thepanel 11, adjacent the circular wall 15 and disposed between batterycontact 34 andV motor contact 23, engages leaf contact end portions 59.Pin 67 is located in such a position that quadrant contact peripheralarc portion 46engages central portions of the flexible stop 66, duringrotation of the quadrant contact 39, forcing the free end outwardsthereby causing closure of leaf contact end portion 59 and pin contact54.

It will be noted that when the starter switch is in a position, wherebyclosure of the circuit is effected, between` motor contact 23 and tirstbattery contact 27, i. e. position 1, the ignition circuit is closedthrough the second battery 39. Also, when the switch is in position 2,closing contact between motor contact 23 and second battery Contact 34,the ignition circuit is closed through the first battery 33.Accordingly, a higher ignition voltage is advantageously obtainable insuch positions l and 2. In position all both batteries are connected inparallel to both the ignition and starting motor circuits.

While the foregoing ignition switching system will adequately performits required functions, there are certain features thereof notparticularly desirable in the switch. In Figure 7, I have illustrated aslightly modied arrangement which will produce the same results as thatabove described, but which is more conveniently and advantageouslyarranged. As seen in the drawing, the ignition terminal post 71 providesa support for a flexible conductor strip 72 preferably constructed of alight gauge phosphor bronze material. Adjacent each end of the strip 72is a non-conducting arm 73 which is engageable by the rotatable contact39, and upon such engagement, is capable of deflecting such strip endinto engagement with the terminal end 74 of a selected one of a pair ofrigid leads connected to the respective battery posts 28 and 35. Thus,when quadrant contact places the motor and rst battery contact inelectrical communication, the quadrant contact will likewise engage oneof the arms 73 causing the latter to urge strip 72 into engagement withthe lead from the second battery.

In recapitulation with reference to Figure 6, the motor contact of theswitch is connected by conductor 26, to the starter motor of the marineengine. In the event twin engines are employed, a parallel connection(shown in dotted lines) is made, with conductor 26, to the starter motorthereof. Switch battery contacts 27 and 34 are connected by means ofconductors 32 and 38, respectively, to one terminal of each battery 33and 39 and the second terminal of each battery is grounded (connected)to the marine engine frame. Accordingly, either battery or both may beconnected by the switch of my invention to start said marine engines.Simultaneously the required ignition current is also connected.

I claim:

1. In an engine starter motor switch, in combination, a flat plate basepanel of insulating material, a circular casing member attached to asurface of said panel and forming therewith a closed cylindrical cavity,a massive starter motor bar contact attached to said plate within saidcavity and provided with conductor connector means, a pair of batteryterminal bar contacts attached to said panel and radially disposed withrespect to a terminal portion of said starter motor contact, a massiverotatable quadrant Contact pivotally mounted in contact with saidterminal portion of the starter motor contact and adapted to engageinner terminal portions of said battery contacts with peripheral sideportions thereof, an auxiliary contact mounted along the longitudinalaxis of said starter motor contact and between said battery contacts, acontact carried by each of said battery contacts and having a terminalportion adjacent said pin contact, and means actuated by said rotatablequadrant contact for causing selective engagement of said pin contactwith one of said contacts carried by one of said battery contacts whensaid quadrant contact is in engagement with the other of said batterycontacts.

2. In an engine starter motor switch, in combination, a at plate basepanel of insulating material, a molded casing attached by circular wallportions to a surface of said panel and forming therewith a closedcylindrical cavity, a massive starter motor base contact attached tosaid plate by bolt means serving also as conductor connector means, apair of massive battery terminal bar contacts attached to said panel bybolt means serving as conductor connector means which battery contactsare radially disposed with respect to a terminal portion of the startercontact, a massive rotatable quadrant contact pivotally mounted incontact with said terminal portion of the starter motor contact andadapted to engage selective ones or both of said battery contacts withperipheral side portions thereof, a resilient washer mounted between thequadrant contact and adjacent casing portions to cause positive contactbetween the quadrant, motor contact and battery contacts, a pin contactmounted between said battery contacts on a longitudinal axis of thestarter motor contact, a contact carried by each of said batterycontacts and having a terminal portion adjacent said pin contact, andmeans including a pair of insulated deformable elements for effectingclosure of said pin contact and selected ones of said battery contactscon tacts upon rotation of said quadrant contact.

3. In a starter motor switch, in combination, a at plate base panel ofinsulating material, a molded casing attached to such plate byengagement of threaded insets molded in a circular wall thereof byscrews inserted through said panel and forming a closed cylindricalcavity with said panel, a massive starter bar contact attached to saidpanel by bolt means projecting beneath said panel, a pair of massivebattery terminal bar contacts attached to said panel by bolt meansprojecting beneath said panel which battery contacts are radiallydisposed with respect to a terminal portion of the starter contact, amassive quadrant contact supported for rotation and axially slidable ona shaft projecting through a central opening in the casing end whichquadrant contact is pivotally in contact with said terminal portion ofthe starter contact and peripheral portions of which may engage innerterminal portions of the battery contacts during rotation thereof,sealing means in engagement with said shaft and said casing end, andresilient means mounted between said quadrant contact and adjacentcasing surfaces around said shaft for urging said quadrant contactagainst said bar contacts and for effecting further sealing of saidswitch.

4. The device as deiined in claim 3 wherein a knob is disposed on saidshaft together with a pivoter for indicating contact positions.

5. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein a rounded pin head isprovided on said starter contact which pin head is adapted to engage adepression formed in the adjacent surface of the quadrant contact whenthe latter is out of engagement with said battery contacts.

6, The device as delined in claim 2 wherein a washer formed ofrelatively smooth insulated sheet material is disposed between saidquadrant contact and said resilient washer to substantially eliminatefriction therebetween.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS871,970 Stull Nov. 26, 1907 1,563,411 Weiss Dec. 1, 1925 1,740,225Cummins Dec. 17, 1929 2,067,557 Allison Ian. 12, 1937 2,264,045 MaierNov. 25, 1941 2,400,849 Stearns May 21, 1946

